Today I will be discussing gas welding equipment with the aid of a diagram. Previously, some articles were published on oxyacetylene welding. check out below.
- What is gas welding its advantages and disadvantages?
- Different types of gas welding processes and their applications
- Safety precautions in a gas welding workshop
Contents
Types of gas (oxyacetylene) welding equipment
Oxyacetylene welding, which is also known as gas welding. it is the equipment used for welding and cutting metals, this equipment comprises of the following:
Gas cylinders:
This is a gas welding component that stores gases at high pressure. Cylinders are made of drawn steel that is heat-treated in order to develop great strength and toughness. A high-pressure valve and valve protector cap are located at the top of the cylinders. It charges at high pressure of about 150km/cm2 and a temperature of about 20degree Celsius.
The acetylene cylinder contains absorbent filler, which is saturated with acetone. That is, compressed acetylene dissolves in acetone. The reason because acetylene is unstable elevates temperature when stored under pressure. Acetylene and oxygen cylinders are indicated by their size and color. Acetylene cylinders are short and wider than oxygen cylinders. It is painted red or maroon, oxygen cylinder is painted black or blue color.
Read more: different between welding and brazing joining process
Regulators:
The pressure regulator helps in reducing or increasing pressure supplies from the cylinder. It also helps to maintain pressure at constant volume. Whenever a regulator is increases or decreases, it takes immediate effect in the torch. These gas welding components consist of a floating valve, a diaphragm, and balancing springs. They are all enclosed in a housing, forming a mechanism.
Hoses and Fittings:
this oxyacetylene part helps to transport gases from the cylinder regulator to the torch. Each cylinder has its own hose indicated with a generally known color. Hoses are indicated with the color of their cylinder. Acetylene hose is red or maroon, while oxygen hose is indicated with black or blue color. These colors help to know the gas flowing through a hose.
Fittings are specially designed for the hose to properly tight them to their connections. Fittings should be free from grease or oil to avoid explosion.
Read more: Different types of welding defects and remedies
Welding Torch:
This oxyacetylene equipment plays a very important role as it helps to accomplish the following;
- Mix oxygen and acetylene properly before releasing
- Produce a controlled flame from its tip
- Prevent flashback
- Obtain a specific flame
Welding torch comes in two types: equal pressure type (medium pressure torch) and injector type (low-pressure torch).
Equal pressure torch delivers gases at a pressure generally above 0.7kg/cm2. Acetylene pressure is about 0.7cm/cm2. Whilst oxygen varies from 1.5kg/cm2 depending on torch tip size. Injector types offer less than 0.7km/cm2 in acetylene pressure, and 0.7 to 2.7 kg/cm2 in oxygen depending on its tip size. These two torches contain a mixing chamber for mixing both gases.
Read more: Understanding welding inspection
Flame arrestors: flame arrestors help to protect operators and equipment against flashback (mixed gas explosion). This explosion occurs when the back-feeding of gases takes place during welding. it occurs when the blowpipe is ignited.
Economizer: just as the name implies, an economizer is used to save oxygen and fuel gas when a torch is not used. It automatically extinguishes when the torch rested on a level rod.
Other types of oxyacetylene equipment include:
- Eye google, apron, gloves, booth: all these are personal safety equipment.
- Fluxes, welding rod, hammer, etc.
Also check:
- Working Principle of Friction Welding
- Different Types of forging tools and equipment
- What is a Blast Furnace and a Blast Stove?, its working, Component, and maintenance
That is all for this article, where different types of gas (oxyacetylene) welding equipment are discussed. I hope you enjoyed the reading, if so, kindly share with other students. Thanks for reading, see you next time!
